Townsend Police Sgt., Wife Killed In Crash

Jan 11, 2019

TOWNSEND (WBZ-AM) -- A retired Townsend Police Sergeant and his wife were killed in a car crash late Thursday night in Epping New Hampshire.

New Hampshire authorities say that Sgt. John Johnson, 58, and his wife Heidi Johnson, 57, of New Ipswich, New Hampshire were killed when a pickup truck driving the wrong way eastbound on Route 101 in Epping crashed into them.

The Johnson's were traveling westbound on Route 101.

(Credit: Townsend, MA Police Dept/Facebook)

According to police, the crash was caused by Ryan Kittredge, 31, of Derry, NH.

Kittredge, was driving the pickup and had reportedly made a U-turn on Route 101 westbound and was traveling eastbound.

Kittredge suffered serious injuries and was flown by MedFlight Helicopter to Mass General Hospital in Boston. In addition, another driver 23-year-old Andrew Neeper, of Raymond also crashed into the pickup shortly after the initial crash. Police say that Neeper couldn't "see the vehicles blocking the roadway as they were completely dark and collided."

He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

In Townsend, MA, the community is mourning the loss of their fallen officer.

Outside Police Headquarters on Brookline Street, flags are at half-staff, a memorial wreath and black bunting can be seen draped.

"Sgt. Johnson has served the Townsend community since 1978," Police Chief Richard Bailey wrote in on theTownsend Police Facebook Page. "Please take time to remember this fine officer and his family.

Bailey tells WBZ NewsRadio that Johnson retired from the force in July.

"It just doesn't seem to be right for that this man spent close to 40 years of his life helping people and supporting the people this town as well of others," he said.

"It's terrible you never think that this will happen to you but they tragically happen."

The department said funeral arrangements would be posted at a later date. This story will be updated with more information.